BTC Getting Started

Why is this stuff important?

Manufacturers who've taken the time to get their data into
industry-standard formats (and WDs, jobbers and retailers who are able
to receive industry standard data) are experiencing company-wide
benefits. Here are just a few:

How Do I Get Started?

Different levels of the distribution chain have different requirements. Select your market segment below to get started.

Warehouse Distributor

Warehouse distributors face many challenges in keeping up with
today's rapidly changing marketplace. New products, constantly
fluctuating prices and logistics issues are just a few of the items at
the forefront.

The data standards were developed to streamline many operations and increase efficiencies throughout an organization.

Here are the steps we recommend:

Education - Learn about the benefits of standardized product data.

Internal review - How can we best apply data standards for maximum efficiency?

Action Plan - Allocate resources including budget and staff.

Manufacturer

Today’s manufacturer can increase sales and profitability through good product data.

The steps to accomplish this goal will include:

Education of all your internal departments on the features and benefits of good product data

SEMA, working with Scott O'Toole at Motor State Distributing,
has developed a step-by-step product information template that will
meet the needs of most of your WD trading partners.

Identify the necessary data elements, where they are stored, and gather them

Decide the process for accomplishing this goal

Standardize your data in-house

Use a Third Party Data Standardization Firm

Contact your customers to let them know that your product data is now in industry standard format

Assign responsibility for data updates and dissemination of those updates to your trading partners.

Manufacturers Rep

As a manufacturers rep, you need access to rich and accurate product
data in order to answer questions and to help buyers make stocking
decisions, and to provide buyers with the information they need to
support customers.

Here are a few things you can do to get started.

Get educated on behalf of your clients (webinars, seminars, events
calendar, white papers, articles, etc.). The resources below will help
you get started.

Jobbers face many challenges in keeping up with today's rapidly
changing marketplace. New products, constantly fluctuating prices and
logistics issues are just a few of the items at the forefront on this
level of distribution.

The data standards were developed to streamline many operations and increase efficiencies throughout an organization.

Here are the steps we recommend:

Education - Learn about the benefits of standardized product data.

Internal review - How can we best apply data standards for maximum efficiency?